Request for Expression of Interest for Communications Agency Services

Strengthening Health Outcomes through the Private Sector (SHOPS) Project is a global five year USAID – funded project, which aims to expand the role of the private sector, including NGOs and for-profit entities in the sustainable provision and use of high-quality health information, products and services.

SHOPS Project’s Kenya country program implements activities in the following three main technical areas:

(2) Increase availability and improve sustainability of private healthcare services and products;

(3) Strengthen the enabling environment for the private sector and ensure the availability and use of data in programmatic and policy decision-making.

To meet the goals of the program in Kenya, SHOPS and its partner Equity Group Foundation seeks a communications agency to assist in developing and executing a comprehensive advertising, marketing, and public relations strategy for a new health service delivery, health education, and health financing initiative.

The contract is expected to be awarded in early 2014 calendar year and expected to last 8 months.

Satisfactory performance may lead to renewal of the contract.

Firms should express written interest by November 22, 2013 with a cover letter to SHOPSKenyaInfo@SHOPSProject.com with “Comm Agency EOI” in e-mail subject line.

Firms must include the following documents:

1. 3-page capability statement summarizing the current list of clients with references for contact and the firm’s expertise in the following areas (evaluation criteria weighting below)

a. Experience working with clients operating an extensive network or multiple branches (30 points)

b. Health sector experience, especially with private sector service delivery, health education, and/or health insurance (20 points)

c. Proven track record of evolving the communication strategy for a client starting from a localized business operation and growing to an extensive network (20 points)

d. Experience with clients who work with the bottom of the pyramid (20 points)

e. Marketing of services (rather than products) (10 points)

2. Copy of valid tax compliance certificates

Interest expressed by firms who do not provide the above 2 documents will be disregarded.

Only short-listed candidates will be sent a full RFP and invited to submit a proposal due 2 weeks thereafter.

Short-listed candidates will also be invited to present to the evaluation committee to defend their proposal.